Being a delivery driver – which could be on-demand food delivery work for companies like Uber Eats or Postmates – has its perks, like being able to set your own schedule and being in charge of your own job. But let’s get real, there’s also a not-so-rosy side to the whole gig economy thing.
In the modern gig economy, we get to enjoy the freedom to choose how much & when we work. Still, there’s a catch to having an unpredictable income & missing out on the safety net that comes with a traditional job – benefits like health insurance, for example.
Because of that uncertainty, most conventional banks & lenders are hesitant to lend to gig workers. And no matter how hard you’re working or how much cash you’re pocketing, as a Postmates delivery driver, your chances of getting rejected for a straightforward loan are high.
According to a recent survey by Argyle, a heck of a lot – nearly half – of gig workers (think rideshare & delivery drivers, freelancers, and all the others who get a 1099), said they’d been rejected for a loan or credit application – even if they’ve got a solid income to repay the debt.
Despite all these challenges, the gig economy – especially the food delivery side of things- is still on the up & up – it’s even projected to reach an astonishing $431.58 billion in 2025, with key players like Postmates (who got bought out by Uber Eats), DoorDash, and Instacart still top of the game.
The good news is that many fintech companies are now on a mission to break down these financial barriers and provide financial products to gig economy workers. Here at GigsMoney, we explore some of the best cash advance apps for Postmates delivery drivers that address the challenges gig workers face.
10 Cash Advance Apps for Postmates Drivers
GigsMoney
GigsMoney is a connection service with a wide network of 40+ lenders. It’s quick and provides funds within 15 minutes, making it easy for gig workers and independent contractors to apply. It offers cash advances of up to $5,000, and depending on your amount, you could receive funding the same day after approval. GigsMoney’s short, easy application makes it stand out among other cash advance apps. Gig workers who want to compare multiple lenders and choose the best option must try this.
- 40+ lending partners
- Offers financing options for gig workers
- Accepts a wide range of credit scores
- Rates can be high for some loan options
- Mixed customer reviews
- No customer service phone number
Giggle Finance
Giggle Finance offers instant merchant cash advances of up to $5,000, especially for gig workers, independent contractors, freelancers, self-employed, and small businesses. Giggle provides fast approval and funding within a few minutes. However, the rates are not disclosed on its official website, and it charges origination fees of 7.25%. In most cases, Giggle earns negative reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). It works best for gig workers who need short-term financing and can repay the advance early.
- Fast approval and funding
- Accept gig workers and other self-employed
- No credit score required
- Not disclosed rates
- Origination fee of 7.25%
- Poor customer reviews
Cleo
Cleo is introduced as a budgeting app that comes in both free and paid versions. Basically, the Cleo app is best for individuals who want to break bad money habits and spend smarter. To get a cash advance, you will need to pay a monthly subscription fee of $5.99, and a same-day fund transfer costs extra. As a new user, you can only borrow between $20 and $100 until you establish a payment history. If you want a money app with an AI budget planner integration with many other helpful saving tools, Cleo could be the option.
- Interest-free cash advance
- No credit check required
- Helpful tools to save money and build credit
- Three to four business days for regular transfers
- $5.99 monthly membership fee
- $3.99 express transfer fee
Albert
The Albert app doesn’t offer a cash advance like other apps, but it provides overdraft protection of up to $1,000. This feature helps you avoid overdraft fees, and you don’t need to undergo a credit check to qualify. The paid plan starts at $14.99 per month and includes cashback rewards, a savings account, a smart money auto-savings feature, and the opportunity to invest in stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). However, if you sign up for the app, it automatically enrolls you in its Genius free trial, so you can test its features before subscribing.
- Gives you 10 days to repay the overdraft
- Saves you from overdraft fees
- No credit check required
- Mixed customer reviews
- No customer service phone number
- No physical branches
Brigit
Brigit is a cash advance app that offers up to $250 per pay period. Brigit is one of the few apps that let you extend your due date if you want extra time to repay. To get an extension, you’ll need to have two previous consecutive on-time payments — and you can store up to three extensions at a time for later use. To get a cash advance, you have to opt for Brigit’s paid subscription, which generally costs $8.99 to $15.99 a month. While it seems costlier than other apps, it includes Brigit’s credit builder program, overdraft protection, and $1 million in identity theft protection.
- Credit builder program
- Payment extensions
- Overdraft protection
- Instant transfers cost extra
- $8.99 to $15.99 monthly membership fee
- Some users complain subscription hard to cancel
Avant personal loans
Avant offers personal loans for the self-employed with more lenient terms. There are no minimum credit score requirements to apply, and it considers factors such as your income and repayment history when making a decision. The range of loans is from $2,000 to $35,000, with rates starting at 9.95%. Avant charges an administrative fee of up to 4.75% on its loans, but this is lower than Upstart’s maximum fee of 8%.
- No minimum credit score required
- Self-employed income accepted
- Preapproval won’t impact your credit score
- Low maximum loan amount of $35,000
- Recently settled a lawsuit with the FTC
- Not available in all states
OppLoans
OppLoans is basically an online lender that offers personal loans starting from $500 to $5,000 to borrowers with poor credit. It only performs a soft-credit check that won’t affect your FICO credit score. Its APRs range from 160% to 195%, though rates vary by state and depend on your income, credit profile, and other factors. While it seems high, it’s still on the lower side compared to payday loans. Once you get approval, funds will be in your bank account the same business day.
- Good customer reviews
- Borrow as little as $500
- Free financial education online
Cons:
- Rates start higher than other lenders
- 9-, 13-or 18-month terms only
- Maximum loan amount is $5,000
GigsCheck
GigsCheck offers fast-approved cash advances to gig workers, independent contractors, self-employed, and other small businesses of up to $5,000, with same-day funding in a few minutes. The best thing is that you don’t need a personal guarantee, and the qualification requirements are relaxed. However, it doesn’t show rates on its website, and you need to contact customer service via email. GigsCheck is best for individuals who don’t qualify for lower-cost financing and can afford to pay the advance back quickly.
- Cash advances up to $5,000
- Funding within few minutes
- Accept gig economy income
- Doesn’t disclose rates or fees on its website
- Some loan options are expensive
- Mixed customer reviews
Possible Finance
Possible Finance offers installment loans of up to $500, which you can later repay in four installments over eight weeks. There’s no need for a credit check, and you can apply anytime in the app and extend your repayment dates up to 29 days, if needed. It also offers a credit card with cash advances up to $300, helping you rebuild your credit. But depending on where you live, it costs between $10 $25 per $100 borrowed. Plus, you need to enrol in a paid membership for $15 to be eligible for cash advances. However, customers complain that it can take days to get a response from customer support.
- Helps build credit
- No credit check loans
- Can extend repayment dates
- Charges up to $25 per $100 borrowed
- Memberships for larger cash advances cost $15 a month
- Complaints of slow customer support
DriverBoost
DriverBoost is a highly rated, trending cash advance app for rideshare and delivery drivers. It offers cash advances of up to $5,000 with no credit check required. You can connect with lenders with a single application that won’t impact your credit score. The service is completely free and carries no obligation. It partners with approx. 25+ lenders ready to work with the gig economy employees. As with most connection services, you may receive multiple marketing emails and calls after applying.
- Free and no obligation
- Compare multiple lenders quickly
- All credit types can apply
Cons:
- Not a direct lender
- Email support only
- Relatively small pool of lenders
Sally is the Growth Marketer at GigsMoney. With years of experience as an independent contractor, she understands both the fulfillment and challenges that come with the gig economy. Now, she is enthusiastic to help build a collective voice to put gig workers at the forefront and drive meaningful change.
